Teach kindergarten kids computer science, technology council advises

Smart technologies are on the verge ofreshaping all sorts ofindustries worldwide, and Canada needs tocreate a more digitally-savvy workforce if it wants to keep up with the changing economy, warns a new report.

To nurture the next generation, kids from kindergarten to Grade 12 should take computer science as a mandatory part of the curriculum, recommends theInformation and Communications Technology Council.

The organization released what it bills as Canada's first digital talent strategy Thursday.

In addition to having children learn to code and develop apps, the reportincludes some two dozen more recommendations.

Those range from encouragingmore women, indigenous people andvisible minorities working in thetechnology sector to helping small businesses adopt new technologies.

The ICTC described how increasingly connected devicesoften calledthe Internet of Things as well as robotics, cyber security,smart cities and other trendsare expected to create big changesacross sectorsfrom manufacturing to health.

At the same time, low commodity pricesand a lower Canadian dollar are making it that much more important to diversify the economy, ICTC said.

"Preparing and harnessing the full potential of Canada's innovative talent to create the industries of the future has never been more critical for the Canadian economy," saidNamir Anani, President and CEO of ICTC.